Polypropylene melt blown nonwovens for plate-type enthalpy exchanger

An enthalpy exchanger made of melt blown nonwoven fabrics was prepared using various chemical and physical treatments, and its characteristics were compared with those of a paper exchanger. Water vapor transmission rate and air permeability, the major properties that determine enthalpy exchanger index performance, were investigated. Various measurements were conducted as a function of calendering temperature and speed, moisture content absorbance, and water soluble polymer concentration. The optimum conditions for the enthalpy exchanger made of melt blown nonwoven fabrics included 95 A degrees C calendering temperature and 5% poly(vinyl alcohol) concentration. A commercial melt blown type heat exchanger could potentially replace the paper type.